AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar 18, 2025--
Third paragraph, first sentence of release should read: “The industrial poultry system has long prioritized profit over animal welfare, nutrition, and environmental health,” said Robby Sansom, Co-founder, CEO, and Land Steward at Force of Nature (instead of “The industrial poultry system has long prioritized profit over animal welfare, nutrition, and environmental health,” said Robby Samson, Co-founder, CEO, and Land Steward at Force of Nature).
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250318560830/en/
The updated release reads:
FORCE OF NATURE MEATS LAUNCHES REVOLUTIONARY CHICKEN PROGRAM, SETTING A NEW STANDARD FOR ETHICAL POULTRY SOURCING
Pasture-Raised, Organic-Fed, and Slow-Growth Chickens Deliver Superior Nutrition, Flavor, and Animal Welfare
Force of Nature Meats, the first national meat brand founded on the principles of regenerative agriculture, today announced the launch of its groundbreaking chicken program. This initiative establishes a new industry standard for poultry sourcing by prioritizing breed selection, animal welfare, and environmental stewardship, ensuring consumers have access to the highest quality chicken on the market.
Unlike conventional and even organic poultry, Force of Nature’s pasture-raised, organic-fed, slow-growing chickens live 8-10 weeks—twice as long as the industry standard—allowing them to develop stronger bones, healthier muscles, and a richer nutritional profile. By rejecting fast-growth breeds like Cornish Cross, Force of Nature is restoring the heritage traits that once made chicken a nourishing, flavorful, and sustainable protein source.
“The industrial poultry system has long prioritized profit over animal welfare, nutrition, and environmental health,” said Robby Sansom, Co-founder, CEO, and Land Steward at Force of Nature. “Consumers are demanding more transparency and nutrition in their food choices. We’ve been providing ethically sourced, premium options for meat since 2019 and we’re excited to do the same with our new chicken program.”
A Revolutionary Approach to Chicken:
“This program has been years in the making,” said Katie Forrest, Co-founder of Force of Nature. “We refused to compromise on our values and have worked tirelessly to create a chicken program that restores balance to our food system. This is the first step toward meaningful change in the poultry industry—and if anyone can do it, it’s Force of Nature.”
Force of Nature’s pasture-raised chicken is now available nationally, providing consumers with an option that is better for them, the animal and the planet. For more information on Force of Nature, visit www.forceofnature.com.
View imagery HERE
A Return to Better Chicken
For centuries, chickens lived in natural, biodiverse environments, foraging freely and contributing to sustainable ecosystems. However, in 1948, the "Chicken of Tomorrow" contest forever changed the poultry industry, introducing the Cornish Cross—a fast-growing breed designed for maximum yield at the cost of nutrition, welfare, and flavor. Today, 99% of chickens come from this one breed, raised in confined spaces and fed GMO corn and soy, reaching slaughter weight in just five weeks.
Force of Nature is breaking this cycle by raising slow-growing, pasture-raised chickens that live 8-10 weeks, develop stronger bones and muscles, and produce more nutrient-rich meat. These birds enjoy unrestricted outdoor access, foraging naturally for a healthier diet and improved welfare.
About Force of Nature Meats
Based in Austin, Texas, Force of Nature Meats is dedicated to revolutionizing the meat industry with a focus on sustainability, ethical sourcing, and uncompromised quality. Rooted in the principles of regenerative agriculture, our mission is to provide consumers with a variety of meats that are not only delicious but also responsibly harvested from free-roaming animals. We believe in the power of nature, and strive to maintain a harmonious balance with the environment in all our practices. Our range includes grass-fed beef, bison, and wild game – all sourced from ranches committed to humane practices and regenerative principles. At Force of Nature Meats, we are more than a company – we are a community of like-minded individuals passionate about making a positive impact on our planet. The result? The best meat on the planet, for the planet.
Force of Nature Meats Organic-Fed Chicken Ancestral Blend
STATESVILLE, N.C. (AP) — A business jet crashed Thursday while trying to return to a North Carolina airport shortly after takeoff, killing all seven people aboard, including retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and his family, authorities said.
The Cessna C550 erupted into a large fire when it hit the ground. It had departed Statesville Regional Airport, about 45 miles (72 kilometers) north of Charlotte, but soon crashed while trying to return and land, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol said.
Flight records show the plane was registered to a company run by Biffle. The cause of the crash wasn't immediately known, nor was the reason for the plane's return to the airport in drizzle and cloudy conditions.
Federal Aviation Administration records show Biffle was rated to fly helicopters and single and multi-engine planes. It wasn't clear if Biffle was piloting the plane at the time of the crash.
Biffle was on the plane with his wife, Cristina, and children Ryder, 5, and Emma, 14, according to the highway patrol and a family statement. Others on the plane were identified as Dennis Dutton, his son Jack, and Craig Wadsworth.
“Each of them meant everything to us, and their absence leaves an immeasurable void in our lives,” the joint family statement said.
Biffle, 55, won more than 50 races across NASCAR’s three circuits, including 19 at the Cup Series level. He also won the Trucks Series championship in 2000 and the Xfinity Series title in 2002.
NASCAR said it was devastated by the news.
“Greg was more than a champion driver; he was a beloved member of the NASCAR community, a fierce competitor, and a friend to so many,” NASCAR said. “His passion for racing, his integrity, and his commitment to fans and fellow competitors alike made a lasting impact on the sport.”
The plane, bound for Florida, took off from the Statesville airport shortly after 10 a.m., according to tracking data posted by FlightAware.com.
Golfers playing next to the airport were shocked as they witnessed the disaster, even dropping to the ground at the Lakewood Golf Club while the plane was overhead. The ninth hole was covered with debris.
“We were like, ‘Oh my gosh! That’s way too low,’” said Joshua Green of Mooresville. “It was scary.”
The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration were investigating.
The Cessna plane, built in 1981, is a popular mid-sized business jet with an excellent reputation, aviation safety expert Jeff Guzzetti said. It has two engines and typically seats six to eight passengers and two pilots.
In 2024, Biffle was honored for his humanitarian efforts after Hurricane Helene struck the U.S., even using his personal helicopter to deliver aid to flooded, remote western North Carolina.
“The last time I spoke with Cristina, just a couple of weeks ago, she reached out to ask how she could help with relief efforts in Jamaica. That’s who the Biffles were," U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson, a Republican from North Carolina, said.
Wadsworth was Biffle's friend and helped him with odd jobs, including delivering supplies to places hit by Hurricane Helene, roommate Benito Howell said.
“He didn’t know how to say no,” Howell said of Wadsworth, who had worked for several NASCAR teams. “He loved everybody. He always tried to help everybody.”
The joint family statement also spoke about Dutton and his son Jack, saying they were "deeply loved as well, and their loss is felt by all who knew them."
With 2025 almost over, there have been 1,331 U.S. crashes this year investigated by the NTSB, from two-seat planes to commercial aircraft, compared to a total of 1,482 in 2024.
Major air disasters around the world in 2025 include the plane-helicopter collision that killed 67 in Washington, the Air India crash that killed 260 in India, and a crash in Russia’s Far East that claimed 48 lives. Fourteen people, including 11 on the ground, died in a UPS cargo plane crash in Kentucky.
Robertson reported from Raleigh, North Carolina. Associated Press writers John Seewer in Toledo, Ohio; Jenna Fryer in Charlotte, North Carolina; Josh Funk in Omaha, Nebraska; Ed White in Detroit; and Sarah Brumfield in Washington contributed to this story.
FILE - Former driver Greg Biffle waves to fans prior to a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Darlington Raceway, Aug. 31, 2025, in Darlington, S.C. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley, File)
FILE - Greg Biffle smiles along pit row during qualifying for Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Friday, Aug. 31, 2012, in Hampton, Ga. (AP Photo/David Tulis, File)
FILE - Greg Biffle celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Kansas Speedway on Sunday, Oct. 3, 2010, in Kansas City, Kan. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner, File)
First responders tend to the scene of a reported plane crash at a regional airport in Statesville, N.C., Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley)
First responders tend to the scene of a reported plane crash at a regional airport in Statesville, N.C., Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley)
First responders tend to the scene of a reported plane crash at a regional airport in Statesville, N.C., Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley)
This screengrab made from video provided by WSOC shows firefighting crews responding to a reported plane crash at a regional airport in Statesville, N.C., erupting in a large fire, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2025. (WSOC via AP)
